Dog Owners Bark at Tower But It Still Gets Approved for Recreation Complex

UPDATE A new cell tower will soon be improving service for visitors of a dog park, despite their objections. The Greenville County Zoning Board of Appeals met on May 10 to officially approve construction of the tower. It will be built by Milestone Communications on behalf of Verizon Wireless.

According to WSPA News, additional carriers will be added to the site at a later date, as long as the board approves. The site is located at Greenville County’s Pavilion Recreation Complex, which also includes the dog park where the 120-foot monopole will be constructed. Milestone hopes to have permits in place to begin construction by this fall, and finish before the end of the year.

Most of the residents in attendance were frequenters of the dog park and spoke in opposition of the tower. Original plans for the tower called for 50 percent of the dog park to be allocated for the tower. Working with the community, Milestone reduced the number to 16 percent. In addition, to improve aesthetics for dog park visitors, trees at least eight feet tall will be planted around the base of the tower.

Len Forkas, president of Milestone Communications, explained the importance of the structure. “This is going to enhance speed of internet as well as provide further enhancement for public safety,” he said. “People want their phones to work.”